February falls within South Africa's summer, with warm to hot weather that brings moderate rain to the northwest. In February we recommend visiting Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park and the Garden Route. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for February.
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South Africa Weather in February: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 16–28°C (61–81°F)
- Rainfall: 8 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 8
- Sunshine hours/day: 8.75
- Sea temperature: 19°C (66°F)
- Humidity: 70–72% (muggy to humid throughout South Africa)
February falls within South Africa's summer, with higher temperatures throughout the country. Places like the Kalahari Desert and Kruger National Park are particularly hot, while Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Drakensburg Mountains are warm.
February does see a quite a bit of rain in most of the country, but less than January, with an average of 8 cm (or 3 inches) of rainfall across the country. Cape Town and the south coast hardly sees any rain by contrast.
Sunshine is plentiful in February though, with an average of 8.75 hours of sunshine per day, and warm water temperatures make it a great time of year to visit South Africa's coastlines and beaches where the temperatures are a little lower than further inland.
February Climate Comparison (Averages) for South Africa's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | Temp. | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | Warm | Semi-arid |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | Warm | Moderate |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | Hot | Low |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | Hot | Low |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | Warm | Moderate |
| City/Area | Daily High | Daily Low |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 27ºC (81ºF) | 16ºC (61ºF) |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 25ºC (77ºF) | 14ºC (57ºF) |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 32ºC (90ºF) | 20ºC (68ºF) |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 35ºC (95ºF) | 18ºC (64ºF) |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 23ºC (73ºF) | 12ºC (54ºF) |
| City/Area | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 2 | 1 |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 9 | 4 |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 10 | 4 |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 6 | 2 |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 14 | 6 |
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The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in February
February's temperatures in South Africa are high, as it is one of the hottest two summer months of the year (the other one is January). This makes it a great time of the year to visit one of South Africa's many beaches and coastlines, where the temperatures are also a little lower than in the desert and more inland.
We've covered some of the best destinations for a February visit: Cape Town's beaches, the KwaZulu-Natal coast, and of course Kruger National Park, because, regardless of the weather, going on safari is a must for any holiday to South Africa.
1. Sunbathe on One of Cape Town's Many Beaches
Cape Town is one of the liveliest cities in South Africa, and it is surrounded by beautiful coastlines. With February's weather being dry and warm in February in this area, we would suggest spending some time on one of Cape Town's many stunning beaches.
Camps Bay Beach is a good destination for sunbathers, with great access to bars and restaurants along the seafront. The views are phenomenal at Bloubergstrand Beach, which is great for walks and sunbathing, and Clifton Beach is another gorgeous beach.
Boulders Beach is also a must-visit because it is home to a penguin colony, something you won't see at any of your beaches at home.
There are also lots of other things to do in Cape Town, for example museums, learn more in this piece about visiting South Africa in March, or Table Mountain, which is worth a climb for the views. You can read more about this in our piece about visiting South Africa in April.
2. Combine Beaches and Safari in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape of South Africa combines both opportunities for lounging on the beach with going on a safari to see the local wildlife. The area is home to lots of natural beauty.
We recommend visiting Sardinia Beach, where you're likely to see rare seabirds. You can take a dip either in the general ocean, but there are also rock pools and smaller swimming bays for families with younger children, which are less wild than the ocean.
The area is also home to wildlife at Kragga Kamma Game Park and Addo Elephant National Park. It is a small reserve making it more suitable for visitors with time constraints, as you'll be able to see zebras, white rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, and more.
3. Dive off the KwaZulu-Natal Coast
Further up from Port Elizabeth, you'll hit the KwaZulu-Natal Coast bordering Mozambique. The area there is known for its beautiful snorkeling and diving spots, and February is a great time to do this as the waters are warm and the weather is hot.
In the reefs you'll be able to spot turtles, eels, and a wide range of fish. We recommend Sodwana Bay or Rocktail for snorkelers, as the reefs are more colorful here.
For divers, it's worth checking out Aliwal and Protea Banks, where you'll find the sharks and bigger fish. It is possible to do shark cage diving there, with numerous diving schools and tour operators in the area. Global Highlights can also help you put together your ideal diving trip.
4. Enjoy a Sunrise Game Drive Kruger National Park
February is one of the warmer months to visit Kruger National Park, but it is still worth visiting due to the beauty of the park and the number of animals you will be able to see. This is one of South Africa's top tourist destinations for good reason. The park is home to the big five, meaning you will be able to see the lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, all in one place.
A visit to Kruger National Park in February also allows you to see the younger animals as they are generally born towards the end of November into early December at the start of South Africa's summer.
Remember to pack sunscreen and a hat, and your transport generally will have a cover to protect against the sun a little. Going out for an early morning game drive is worth it as that's when the animals are most active and it helps beat the heat a little.
High Season: More Busy and More Expensive
February falls in the end of the high season, with many tourists visiting South Africa due to its warm weather. Although February is less busy than early January, you will still want to book ahead to avoid disappointment and higher prices for both travel and accommodation.
What to Wear in February
Since February is a hot time of the year to visit South Africa, we would recommend airy, light-colored clothing made of natural fabrics, such as cotton t-shirts or linen trousers and dresses. You'll want to bring a hat to keep the sun out of your face.
Due to the sun levels around this time of the year, we also recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen as well as sunglasses. If you are planning on doing some hikes or more exploring on foot, we would recommend bringing supportive hiking footwear and equipment too.
If you are thinking of visiting the Drakensberg Mountains, we would recommend bringing an umbrella just in case as you could expect a couple of rainy days in the month of February.
Monthly Weather in South Africa
Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour
If you need some help putting together your ideal itinerary for a vacation in South Africa, Global Highlights is here to help! We have a number of experts who can help put together a bespoke trip for you or your family.
Just let us know what you'd like to see, how long you'd like to stay, and what your needs or requirements are. We can arrange everything from travel and accommodation to sightseeing for you, so that you can relax and enjoy your well-deserved break.
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